New Jersey Devils Bring Back Tomas Tatar

The New Jersey Devils are having a reunion tour first bringing back Stefan Noesen and now they have signed forward Tomas Tatar.

Jim Biringer
Jim Biringer
3 Min Read
May 1, 2023; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils left wing Tomas Tatar (90) celebrates his goal against the New York Rangers during the second period in game seven of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

The New Jersey Devils continued their Reunion Tour on Day 2 of NHL Free Agency bringing back Tomas Tatar on a one-year deal.

Tatar’s new deal carries a $1.8 million annual average value according to PuckPedia.com 

Last season, Tatar split time with the Colorado Avalanche and Seattle Kraken. With the Avalanche he recorded just nine points (one goal and eight assists) in 27 games. In 43 games with the Kraken, he had 15 points (eight goals and seven assists). Before that, Tatar spent two seasons with the New Jersey Devils as he helped the team reach the second round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

New Jersey Devils Getting Heavier and Meaner on Day 1 of Free Agency

In his first stint with the club, Tatar recorded 78 points (35 goals and 43 assists) in over 158 regular season games. However, during 12 games with the club in the playoffs in 2023, he just had one goal.

Tomas Tatar has played in 853 career NHL regular-season games over the past 10 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, Vegas Golden Knights, Montreal Canadiens, Devils, Avalanche, and Kraken. In those 853 games, Tatar has recorded 4879 points (220 goals and 259 assists). He has recorded 15 or more goals nine times in his career. Seven seasons saw Tatar hit the 20-goal mark. In 52 games in the playoffs, he has 13 points (seven goals and six assists).

Tatar is a solid two-way forward, who can play the middle-six. The Devils will likely have him play with Nico Hischier or Dawson Mercer. It will most likely be with Hischier as they had success together in his first stint in New Jersey. Tatar is also familiar with fellow Slovak Simon Nemec, as they played together for Slovakia at the World Championships.

The Devils still have $4,976,103 in cap space to re-sign Mercer to a new extension.